Alexandria (Revision 184)

Prima Vista

As you explore the room you will see a lamp in the center. Before lighting it, proceed to the topmost area and check the left and right sides for 47 Gil and a Potion. Once you have them, go the lamp and light it. You can put whatever name you want but we'll use the default name, Zidane. The rest of the Tantalus crew comes in and the very first battle ensues.

boss battle - masked man

Steal: Potion, Wrist, Mage Masher

You can't really do much at this point so just attack, but only after you steal all of Baku's items. Stealing is a key element in this game, as it will ultimately determine the power of Zidane's Thievery Trance skill much later in the story. Steal from everyone and everything when possible.

At some point near the end of the mission briefing when Baku prompts for a response from Zidane, tell him "kidnap Queen Brahne" 64 times for a wee bit of extra dialogue with Ruby. Giving the correct answer, "kidnap Princess Garnet" concludes the meeting. The intro sequence continues, after which you'll gain control of someone else in within Alexandria.

Alexandria

You start off controlling the black mage, Vivi. Before you proceed, check around the barrels where you feel to find a Potion. Enter the room right across the barrels and check the bed on the left to snag Grandma's 9 Gil savings; look under the table next to the ladder for a Potion and then climb up the ladder to check the drawer for a Fang Card.

Exit and head south to the palace entrance: a Lizard Man Card and aSahagin Card are yours when you inspect the buildings on the farthest end. Once you have everything, proceed north while check the sides to find another Potion (left-hand side around all the fruit and bread baskets and exit this section of the town. In the following section go into the tavern and check the leftmost barrel by the leftmost table to find a Flan Card

Then on the lit doorway above the barrel check for 27 Gil. To the far right hand side there is a barrel with a Potion. Exit and head left. In the center of the area you will find a ticket booth for the play -- sadly, the ticket he has is fake. However, the ticket salesman will give you a Goblin Card, another Fang Card, and a Skeleton Card. To the left of the Ticket Booth are some kids playing jump rope. Have Vivi join them and you'll receive rewards upon achieving a certain number of consecutive jumps.

You can try this mini game now or wait until Disc 3. For the latter, you can only join if Vivi or Eiko are in your party. Rewards: 20 Jumps: 10 Gil; 50 Jumps: Cactuar Card; 100 Jumps: Genji Card; 200 Jumps: Alexandria Card; 300 Jumps: Tiger Racket Card; 1000 Jumps: King of Jump Rope.

To address Vivi's ticket problem, head for the Alley where you'll meet the rat kid again. Agree to be his slave and tell him the coast is clear. The man that appears after Puck runs off with the ladder is Alleyway Jack. Speak to him to learn about Final Fantasy 9's card game Tetra Master.

If card games are not your thing, follow Puck into the chapel. Once inside, a regular moogle and Stiltzkin will show up. The regular moogle will do a lot of your save/load functions and Stiltzkin is a traveling merchant, selling rare goods ranging from items to equipment. Whenever you run into Stiltzkin, try to buy from him, especially his bundle offers. Save and check the flowers to the left of the entrance and you'll get a Tent and proceed to follow the rat Behind the moogle you'll find another Potion.

Also, whenever you encounter a moogle in a town or city, access the Mognet option to see if they have any letter for another moogle. Deliver every letter to their recipient, and you'll be able to access Mognet Central late in the game. That said, Kupo has a letter for Monty (who is in Alexandria Castle). Climb the ladder and contnue after the Rat Kid.

Once you get to the far right, Puck will head up; get the 23 Gil that's on the bowl directly in front of you. Follow the rat kid again but before you finish your course take a right and follow the boards to get to 63 Gil. Go back to where you came down from and continue up; you'll be on one of the houses that's farthest on top. Check the pot on the roof for 92 Gil. Go back down and head right, then up. You'll be inside the castle now.